Auto Detailing And The Emphasis On Eco-Friendly Solutions [Trends]

November 23, 2022December 2, 2022 The Mechanic Doctor

Every once in a while, people think about checking their vehicles for minor upgrades or maintenance. But before taking their car to a detailer, people often look for service areas that provide eco-friendly solutions. Well, simply put, the world is changing. A good chunk of people is conscious of how their actions can have a detrimental impact on their society and the environment. Similarly, they want to be careful when buying car care products or when taking their vehicle to the car wash, owing to harmful chemicals and water wastage. The three most consequential disasters of 2022: Florida’s Hurricane Ian, the summer drought and heat waves in Europe, and the monsoon flooding in Pakistan, are a testament to the fact that our earth should be taken care of seriously. From the average household to large firms, the concerned masses are trying, in whatever way possible, to reduce their eco-footprint.

What Is Eco-Friendly Car Detailing?

Eco-friendly car detailing is the process of cleaning and polishing a vehicle using products and methods that are environmentally friendly or biodegradable. This type of detailing takes into account the impact of the Eco-Friendly Products and processes used on both the environment and the vehicle itself.

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Auto Detailing Solutions

Auto detailing is not just about making your car look good; it is also about using eco-friendly solutions. You might be shocked to learn that getting your car professionally washed is actually preferable to do it yourself if you’re trying to find methods to be a little more eco-friendly. As per a survey, 35% of consumers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly services. This is a result of consumers’ growing environmental consciousness and preference for biodegradable cleaning products over conventional ones. Here are some benefits of using these:

1. Water conservation

The average car wash uses roughly 116 gallons of water per wash, which is equivalent to 3 bathtubs full of water, according to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Surprisingly, the amount of water lost when people wash their own automobiles tends to be the highest. It’s challenging to control water pressure while detailing a car by hand and to work quickly. This may result in a lot more rinsing and water waste.

One of the greatest methods to lessen your water waste is to work with a car wash that values the environment. Waterless car washes are becoming big. While it does not work great if your vehicle is extremely dirty, it could work wonders if you are looking to get rid of light dirt accumulation.

2. Saving Money Long Term

According to 70% of consumers, recent climate events, including wildfires, floods, air quality risks, excessive heat, drought, etc., have increased their propensity to buy environmentally friendly goods. 38 % of this group previously did not purchase certain things, but recent climatic occurrences have motivated them to do so. The cost of sustainable products is mixed in the market. You might have to pay more for some initially. One example is a waterless cleaner. Another example is your fuel-efficient tires. Long term, these products are definitely worth the cost. Take the tires, for example; they have less resistance due to their smooth and lightweight design. Thus, less fuel is used in driving. Eco-friendly detailing products are also more effective than other options because they don’t require as much effort from users—and this means higher profits for businesses that sell them!

Finally, if you switch to electric cars, according to the average electrical cost across the US, you are likely to recoup all your money in 6 to 8 years. Looking at it now, it does not seem such an attractive proposition. But these numbers could very likely reduce over the next couple of years.

3. Safer for your vehicle

Eco-friendly auto detailing solutions are safe for your vehicle, the environment, and people. They’re also safe for pets. When you choose an eco-friendly Auto Detailing Service from a company that uses green products and practices, you can be sure that it will protect your car from harmful chemicals that may be in the water used to wash it or even the paint itself. These products are designed with safety in mind, so they don’t leave behind any residue after they’ve been applied to the surface of your vehicle.

Eco-Friendly Auto Detailing Consumer Trends

‘SustainableBrands’ is a premier brand innovation company. They aim to create value, provide a positive impact on businesses, and aim to inspire global business leaders to curb their ambitions according to social and environmental challenges. They conducted a survey of 1000 US adults in August of this year. The main objective of this survey was to look at the change in consumer behavior in relation to sustainable living. The key takeaways are as follows:

66 percent of all Americans, and 80 percent of all individuals aged 18 to 34, said they would pay extra for environmentally friendly products. Fig. 1 below shows the ‘9 sustainable behaviors’ followed by fig.2, which demonstrates the ‘intention – action gap.’ It is pretty self-explanatory. For better understanding, it occurs when someone has every intention to do something, but it never happens.

9 Sustainable Behaviors — Fig.1 Courtesy SB: Socio-Cultural Trend Tracker 2022

The ‘Intention – Action’ figure below shows us that even though the intentions are strongly present, the actions are pretty inconsistent. Well, it might take some time before people are familiar with products and services that really take the environment into consideration. Just like every other global/cultural trend, sustainable living is also slowly but surely sinking in as part of people’s lives. Key takeaway – more and more people are thinking eco-friendly.

Intention vs Action — Fig.2 Courtesy SB: Socio-Cultural Trend Tracker 2022

One of the reasons that could translate to such a stat would be the lack of trust consumers have in huge companies. While consumers like the message of sustainability conveyed by certain icons, they are often confused by the lack of specificity.

Fig.3 Courtesy PDI Business of Sustainability Index 2022

One-third of the total said that large firms need to have third-party verifications to assert their claim of sustainability.

Being cost-effective is more difficult as businesses try to move towards sustainability. There is a continuing struggle as profit margins have reduced; for example, electric cars are a great way to reduce emissions. But as soon as you take an electric vehicle out on a long drive, say across the city, it starts to get expensive. Commercial chargers cost significantly more than charging at home. The electrical power cost also drastically varies according to location. In this example, cars powered by gas turn out to be cost-effective. But that shouldn’t dishearten you, as the automotive industries are working tirelessly to make batteries and their charging cost-efficient.

The Do’s And Don’ts Of Eco-Friendly Auto Detailing

When it comes to green auto detailing, there are a few things you should keep in mind to achieve the best results for you and the environment:

Do…

Get a routine maintenance check;
Fuel-efficient tires;
Don’t overdo it with the A/C;
Turn off your engine if you are not going to move for a while;
Maintain a steady speed.

Don’t…

Use harsh chemicals on your car’s paintwork. These can damage the paint and leave behind streaks or smears.
Never overfill your tank while getting gas — it increases the risk of harmful vapors escaping into the air.
Avoid washing your car at home. Look for an auto detailing service or car wash near you.
Or better yet, switch to a waterless car wash.

Last Words

Eco-friendly auto detailing is becoming more and more popular as people become more aware of the impact their car care choices have on the environment. More companies are offering eco-friendly solutions, and it’s important to do your research to find the best one for you. Let’s hope this article has given you some points to ponder the next time you think about getting your car detailed.

Author’s Bio

Thomas Anderson — A professional content writer who has been at it for the last 10 years. Trying to add value to readers’ lives with insightful and interesting content. Hoping to induce a cultured way of thinking in today’s fast-paced society.